Hopefully by now, you’ve had many experiences in your life that have led to feeling the entire rainbow spectrum of human emotions. Maybe you’re currently feeling anxious about something in your life, grieving over the loss of someone or something, or you’re fearful about a situation that may come to be. These feelings can be perfectly useful and appropriate in the right time and place. When these emotions are unbalanced or prolonged, physical harm can ensue. Consequently, the reverse can occur; when your body’s internal organ systems are unbalanced, it can give rise unbalanced emotions, leaving you feeling out of control.

Take a moment and pretend you’re an actor doing research for a role…

Dig up some past experience that made you really angry…(I’ll wait for it).

Now, how do you feel? Did you warm up a bit? Could you feel it in your face? Your chest? Did it create a bit of extra energy?

Now let it go, it was in the past.

Let’s dig up something else. What in your life causes you to worry? That, if you let it, it would keep you up at night and occupy your every free thought.

How do you feel now? Where do you feel it?

Ok, now let that go too. It’s in the future and that cannot be seen.

If you were able to connect to those different emotional scenarios, you most likely felt them in different parts of your body. That’s because our internal organ systems don’t only help us process air and food in order to survive, they help us process our emotions. Unbalanced or prolongedemotional stress can stress our internal organs and cause harm. Therefore, gaining some control of our emotional state is a major key to protecting our health.

The Su Wen, the first text of the foundational doctrine in Chinese medicine, lays out the causes of disease. There are external reasons for disease related to the environment and pathogens, and internal causes that are related to our emotional health. They have been classified into the following categories, that when in excess or left ungoverned, hurt the internal organs.

The emotions and their related organs:

Anger----------Liver

Joy-------------Heart

Grief/Sadness-----Lung

Worry/Pensiveness---------Spleen

Fear------------Kidneys

Fright/Shock------Gallbladder

If it seems hard to believe, science may make this concept easier to understand. Current medical research is paying close attention to chronic stress and its negative implications to our health. Modern medicine is now recognizing the role chronic stress plays in the dysfunction of our immune, digestive, and hormonal systems.

For example:

· Stress lowers SIgA, our main line of immune defense in our gastrointestinal system, leaving us more vulnerable to bacteria and other pathogens.

· Stress increases our risk for cardiovascular disease: A heightened emotional event was shown to be correlated the timing of heart attack. Stress can trigger an inflammatory response that encourages the buildup of fatty plaque inside artery walls.

· A stressful event can change the microbiome in our gut, decreasing our good bacteria and increasing harmful bacteria.

· Gut bacteria manufacture up to 95% of the body’s supply of serotonin, our feel-good neurotransmitter.

Most of us are exposed to daily stressors and we go through times in our lives that are substantially more stressful than others. How we deal with this stress, and how it is expressed, plays an imperative role in our overall wellness. Moreover, caring for your physical health can improve your emotional responses to stress.

Get closer to the root of your emotional imbalances by learning your Chinese Medicine diagnosis and start taking steps to heal at a deeper level.

Heather will be seeing patients 7am till 12pm Mondays and Wednesdays! Book online or call to book 415-255-2252.

Read Heather's bio below:

My name is Heather Moore L.Ac. and it is my goal to balance your endocrine system to increase your quality of life and stopped being hijacked by your hormones. Or to assist you in conception and delivering a healthy baby so you can fulfill your dream of having a beautiful family to share and create your own memories!

I was born and raised in Plymouth, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, where I was surrounded by nature and developed a passion for natural sciences and medicine. I LOVE medicine. I could read anatomy and physiology books forever!

When I was 18, I sought help for a gynecology issue that was ongoing for four years. Western Medicine proved to be a disappointment, so I turned to kinesiology and nutrition, which solved the problem in a couple of cycles. I radically changed my diet from a lot of meat, dairy and sugar to vegetarian. Not only did my cycles improve, but I was struggling with cystic acne that resolved in a couple of weeks, despite years of antibiotic and steroid creams.

I went to Western Michigan University and studied marine biology/chemistry, then moved to San Diego in 1996 for graduate school. Upon my arrival, I was promptly persuaded to pursue a different career. Over nine months, my eyes were opened to a new way of being and seeing health, vitality and life in general and found myself enrolling at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine for my Masters.

Since graduating in 1999, I have had a focus on Women's Health. In 2009, I became a Fellow of American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (FABORM), to become an expert in fertility and conception. I love connecting with women, co-creating and holding their vision for the future, be it future family or future health. I have spent 18 years studying acupuncture, meditation, yoga and nutrition. I have a keen intuition and can pinpoint what isn't working for you and move you into a place of alignment with your center. You will experience more flexibility, inner peace, harmony and better equipped to adapt to stress.

When I'm not working I am outside hiking, paddle boarding, or riding my motorcycle in Point Reyes or the back roads of Sonoma. I have a kitty named Blue who is the love of my life and an awesome partner Chris who keeps me grounded and laughing.

I look forward to working with you to create the life and health you desire!

We are all pretty familiar with the nature of dogs- loyal, protective, loving.

Dogs run like to crazy then plop down and rest- so the year may have lots of starts and stops. It’s important to listen to your body and honor it’s cycles- especially your need for rest. This is an earth on earth year so there may be more natural disasters like earthquakes so **get your earthquake kits together**!

The earth element is also about digestion. Take care to eat healthy seasonal, local foods and steer clear of refined sugar, additives, and inflammatory polyunsaturated oils like sunflower, safflower, canola, soy and corn oils.

If you have chronic digestive hormonal or immune issues, please come in for a visit and let us help you get to the root cause and resolve it.

At DHH, we are passionate about the synthesis of classical Chinese medicine and modern functional medicine. We utilize classical Chinese diagnostic tools to look at what is going on with the whole person in front of us- physically, emotionally and energetically. We also utilize functional medicine testing as needed that gives us data about things like a comprehensive look at the gut, the sex and stress hormones. The synthesis of these two views allows us to get to the root of issues in the way of our patients feeling their best and achieving goals like healthy pregnancy, sound sleep, mood stabilization, freedom from pain and great digestion.

We create a customized treatment plan for each patient that outlines our treatment goals, and our suggestions around acupuncture, diet and lifestyle. It’s a sort of roadmap to health. We then meet each patient right where they are and make the tactical changes that will have the biggest impact. Make your health a priority- we want you feeling sexy, vibrant and balanced so you can fully enjoy the year ahead!

Chinese medicine has been paying attention to the importance of body temperature regulation and homeostasis since the beginning. Warming a Uterus that was “Cold” was an essential treatment for improving fertility and pregnancy. Jane Lyttleton author of Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine tells us that in Traditional Chinese Medicine “the warmth of the uterus refers to its metabolic activity, actively manufacturing the secreting nutrients and maintaining a highly nurturing home for a fetus”. In the luteal phase, or second half of a menstrual cycle, progesterone produce by the corpus luteum raises the body temperature in preparation for potential implantation. Could an inadequate body temperature rise and/or lack of proper circulation be contributing to issues with your fertility?

When observing women with unknown fertility issues or recurrent pregnancy loss, Kidney Yang deficiency is one of the most prevalent patterns. Kidney yang deficiency has a correlation with low progesterone levels and include symptoms such as feeling colder than those around you, cold hands and feet, low libido, back pain with menses, fatigue, frequent urination, and low BBT readings. (Note that when Kidney yang deficiency is combined with other disharmonies it may present differently).

Kidney Yang deficiency combined with Blood stagnation is an even more common disharmony. The metabolic activity of Kidney Yang is not sufficient enough for proper blood circulation and therefore the transforming and rebuilding of the uterine lining is less than optimal, leading to conditions from dark clotty periods to endometriosis. Insufficiency of Kidney Yang is often and underlying cause of cold Uterus, further complicated by blood stagnation. A cold Uterus can stand alone (referred to as Full-Cold), although I don’t often see this presentation in the modern clinical setting.

What can you do?

Diet for a Cold Uterus

Unfortunately, those daily lunch salads may not be helping. Chinese medicine physicians have long observed that the environment around us, and what we consume on a daily basis will alter the temperature inside us. Therefore, for women trying to conceive with any sign of cold in the body should not be consuming raw-cold foods or drinking cold beverages. Here’s how to work around it:

· Keep salad or raw vegetables as side dishes only. Instead choose warm, cooked foods whenever possible. Although salads are wonderful for increasing our intake of vegetables (which we should continue to do) think of veggie laden soups, stews, curries, and stir-fry-like meals as the main course and keep lettuce greens on the side.

· Avoid icy cold drinks. Skip the Frappuccinos and find an herbal tea you enjoy to stay hydrated and warm. Ask your acupuncturist if there is a specific herbal tea that fits your constitution and make the most out of your daily beverage intake.

· Some spice can be nice. Cinnamon and ginger are fantastic additions to drinks, oatmeal, smoothies and can help warm up a cold condition.

Nourish Yin and Promote Ovulation

Yang cannot exist without yin. (I imagine you’re already thinking “ok, but what does that mean about my fertility!?”) Let me explain, because the menstrual cycle is such a perfect example of how things must be properly balanced for optimization.

Let’s go back to prior mention of how the corpus luteum is responsible for maintaining progesterone levels after ovulation. It takes a healthy egg to create a healthy corpus luteum. Therefore, focusing only on supplementing the deficient, Yang, part of the cycle isn’t enough. We must also support Yin. The Yin phase of your cycle is the first half, when the follicle is being prepped and nourished for ovulation. If you’re familiar with Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting you already know that the first half of your cycle is when your body temperate is the lowest.

Nourishing yin (including the ripening follicle) during this phase sets you up for a healthier and warmer second half of your cycle. Do this by eating yin and blood nourishing foods (omega 3’s such as chia, flax, fish oil, spirulina, eggs, bone broth, beets, leafy greens), getting enough rest, and taking your herbs.

We’re not off the hook yet! If that juicy, ripened follicle doesn’t ovulate we won’t have a luteal body to sustain progesterone levels, and therefore we will not get the full benefits of the warming half of the cycle. It seems to be a somewhat common phenomenon that our bodies will decide not to ovulate on any given cycle. A study done on a random general population in 2015 by Jerilynn C. Prior et al. showed that a third of women with normal cycle lengths did not ovulate on a given month! So just because your period is regular, it doesn’t mean we can bet that you’re ovulating regularly. The women in this study did not differ in factors such as age*, BMI, parity or smoking. Stress is a more likely reason why the body decides to skip this step. Increases in cortisol due to an emotional, physical, or nutritional threat can inhibit the process of ovulation.

That means it is extra important to avoid stressful situations around ovulation time. (“Sorry I can’t this week”- At least you’re off the hook here!) Do whatever you can to put relaxation in the forefront. This is a terrific time for acupuncture. Acupuncture is great at reducing the stress response and treating hypothalamic and ovulatory disturbances. Also try things like gentle flow yoga, aromatherapy, listening to more music, deep breathing, more time with friends--or fill in your personal stress diffuser.

*The mean age of women in this study was approx. 41 years old. It’s important to take into account this is higher than the age of most women trying to conceive. Age was most likely a factor in why lack of ovulation was found so high.

Use moxibustion, heat packs, and a good pair of socks.

Moxibustion is a therapy of dried mugwort, heated and used to stimulate acupuncture points. Mugwort has been used for centuries both topically and internally for fertility and menstrual disorders, and used in moxibustion therapy to expel cold and stimulate proper flow of Qi and Blood.

Heat packs can also be used for this purpose. If you are doing a 3-month program to improve your fertility (and therefore not actively trying to conceive) you can use these therapies all month long. If you are currently trying, use a heat pack on the lower abdomen for 20 minutes 2 times per day from menstruation to ovulation only.

If you are using moxibustion therapy, see our Moxibustion-A-How-To-Guide. Use moxa the same way you would use a heat pack. 10-20 minutes 1-2 times per day from menstruation to ovulation, or all cycle long if you are prepping to conceive.

Keeping your feet warm is also a good practice while trying to warm your Uterus. Chinese Medicine has long thought that cold feet equate to a cold Uterus. Meridians that start in your feet connect to the reproductive organs. Therefore, avoid sabotaging your efforts by wearing warm socks, especially in colder months, and avoid walking on cold floors barefoot.

Take herbs that warm Kidney Yang, expel Cold and move Blood.

Mugwort is just one of the many botanicals that are used for warming a cold uterus and regulating the menstrual cycle. I highly recommend seeing a trained herbalist who specializes in fertility to find the right herbal formula for your own personal needs.

Using Moxibustion Therapy at Home

Moxibustion (Moxa for short) is another method of stimulating an acupuncture point. Moxa is a compressed herb (Artemisia Argyi Folium) rolled into a stick that is lit and held over the acupuncture point. This stimulates and warms the acupoint to create a more tonifying experience than needling. It is easy to do at home with a little instruction and perfect to use in colder months. This therapy is used for (but not limited to) preventing colds and flus, strengthening the digestive system, and is well known for treatment for a breech presentation baby.

What you will need:

· Moxibustion stick (given to you by your acupuncturist)

· A candle for lighting

· Receptacle for ash-ing, such as an ashtray or ceramic dish

· A glass, screw-top jar for extinguishing the stick (best when filled with a little rice)

How to go about it:

Light one end of the moxibustion stick over a candle. It takes a while to light the stick therefore using a candle is easier than using a lighter.

You’ll know it’s ready when you can feel the warmth of the stick. NEVER let the moxibustion stick make direct contact with the skin. Gently hold the end of the stick near the back of your hand to feel if it’s warm, or gently blow on the stick to see if it is glowing.

Now that it’s lit, find your acupuncture point of choice (or directed by your acupuncturist).

Stomach 36 is found by measuring the four fingers of your hand directly below the knee. Once you’re there, the point is one finger-breath from the hard tibia bone on the front of your lower leg.

Hold the stick a few centimeters about the skin and over the acupuncture point. Direct the heat by using a pecking motion. If at any time if the point is feeling too warm, take a break for a few seconds.

Repeat on each leg for 5-10 minutes total. Ash the stick as needed to ensure that no moxa ash falls onto the skin.

UB 67 is the acupuncture point used to turn a breech or posterior positioned baby. The therapeutic time for this treatment is 20 minutes on each toe, 2 times per day.

When you’re finished with your moxibustion treatment place the stick in the glass jar and screw the lid tight to extinguish.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in our Double Happiness Health family!! We are so very grateful to work with each one of you- it is an honor to be trusted with guiding you back to balance when you need it. This year has been a tough one for so many. We have helped babies come into the world, eased hormonal imbalances, reversed pain, nurtured deep restful sleep, conquered eczema, eased anxiety, dodged colds and have had many other health adventures by your side. I cannot imagine a more fun and satisfying career. I certainly cannot imagine more inspiring patients- thank you for choosing us as your health care providers. We look forward to being there to help optimize your health in the year to come.

When you are fighting a cold or flu, or simply need an immune boost, chicken soup is the age-old remedy that delivers comfort and healing. A study published in the journal Chest shows eating chicken soup during a respiratory infection reduces the number of white blood cells, which are the cells that cause flu and cold symptoms. In Chinese Medicine, we use food to heal. Basic chicken soup is highly nutritious, but I am partial to the Mexican version with spicy jalepeno which can disperse phelgm, cooling cilantro which detoxifies and moistening avocado for lung dryness plus a squeeze of lime to help clear stagnation and astringe fluids. Here is a simple recipe you can use to make it from scratch at home. Check out the seven easy steps and find the recipe below.

Place veggies and herbs in stock pot. Layer chicken pieces on top. Add 10 cups cold water, bring to boil then lower to a simmer 35 minutes or until chicken pulls apart easily with two forks.

Once chicken is done, remove the pieces from the pot, discard the skin and bones and shred meat into bite sized pieces; set aside.

Now it's time to strain the "liquid gold" broth. This stuff is packed with healing properties for gut and immune system, plus supports beautiful hair, skin and nails.

Boom! You've got 8 cups of broth and 4 cups of shredded chicken. From here you can make a deliciously healing chicken soup with a Mexican flare.

Heat up coconut or olive oil, then add carrots, onion and celery, season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and sautee until it is fragrant just 1-2 minutes more. Add sliced mushrooms and cabbage.

Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil then simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the chicken and chopped tomato.

Serve in bowls and top with garnish of colorful radish, sliced jalapeno, chopped cilantro, cubed avocado and a wedge of lime.

Put all the ingredients except the water in a large stock pot, with the chicken on top. Cover with the water, ensuring that the chicken is submerged. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to a bare simmer. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes, skimming off and discarding any foam that rises to the top of the surface. Remove the chicken from the stock and set aside to cool slightly while you strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids

Shred the chicken into bite-size pieces, discarding the skin. (You can save the bones to make more stock another time or discard them.)

At this point, you can make soup right away or refrigerate the chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can refrigerate the stock in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze it for up to 2 months

It’s not a comfortable subject for many of the patients I see, but it is a reality for over half of women going through menopause. As your body enters its“second spring”, decreased levels of estrogen cause thinning, drying and even shrinking of the tissues of the vagina. This can lead to pain or bleeding during intercourse, itching, inflammation or infection. After your body decides it’s “so over” the baby making stage of life, it draws its resources toward other life sustaining processes. Here’s how you’re not going to let that slow your mojo:

The Supplements:

Estrogen and DHEA based suppositories. Double Happiness Health carries an incredible product by Bezwecken called Hydration Cubes. These suppositories combine a winning combination of Estriol (the primary estrogen in pregnancy) and DHEA. These are made to rehydrate the tissues and rebuild the nerve fibers leading to increased pleasure and sensation. Bonus, these hormones have been shown to stay locally in the system so you don’t have to worry about secondary side effects.

Balance Spring by Evergreen Herbs is a clever blend of Chinese herbs aimed to promote the health and suppleness of the soft tissues and decrease vaginal dryness. The formula comes in capsule form, and when taken daily overtime it can reduce the occurrence of post-coital discomfort or bleeding, itching, inflammation and atrophy of the tissues. It has the added bonus of reducing other unwanted menopause related symptoms.

These are available through prescription only, so make sure you ask your DHH practitioner if it’s the right fit for you.

Lifestyle:

What you choose to eat and drink will always make a difference. Make sure you’re staying hydratedand increase the amount of nourishing foods such as yams, cucumbers, seeds, berries, beets and other root vegetables.

Avoid drying or irritating topical soaps. Use natural products that are not scented. The same thing goes for lotions or douches; it’s best to avoid those all together to reduce the risk of infection.

Lastly, as with most things, you’ve got to use it or you’ll loose it. Create regular opportunities for increased blood flow to that area either alone or with your partner. If libido is an issue, herbal medicine and acupuncture are also helpful in that area so tell your practitioner. You could also check out this tantalizing read by NYC acupuncturist Jill Blakeway.